Unexpected Black Bear Sighting Startles West Mobile Lawn Crew

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Imagine this: you're out mowing the lawn, minding your own business, when suddenly... a black bear decides to show up!

That's exactly what happened to a lawn crew in West Mobile on a regular Tuesday morning.

What started as just another day of trimming and edging turned into a wild encounter worthy of a nature documentary.

Black BearPhoto byMichael Anfang / Unsplash

Bear on the Run

The crew was just wrapping up one job and heading to the next when they saw something unusual sprinting across Overlook Road at Reed and Middle Ring Road.

A bear!

Yes, a real black bear was on the move, causing the crew to drop everything and whip out their phones to capture the moment.

"Well, you don’t see that every day!" one of the men exclaimed as they watched the bear hustle into a nearby patch of woods.

While the bear wasn’t huge, it sure knew how to make an entrance. The sighting left the crew and nearby residents buzzing with excitement—and a little concern.

The Neighborhood Reacts

Charles Slater, who has called this area home for over three decades, was as shocked as anyone to see the video of the bear in his neighborhood.

"I’ve never seen a black bear here... and I’ve lived here for 33 years," Slater shared, still processing the fact that a bear had been just a stone’s throw away from his backyard.

This bear sighting in West Mobile comes hot on the heels of multiple bear sightings in Saraland just two weeks ago.

While bears aren't unheard of in Alabama, seeing one wandering through suburban streets is definitely a head-scratcher.

What’s Got the Bears Moving?

So, what’s pushing these bears to explore new territory?

Slater speculated that it could be the search for food or the sweltering summer heat driving them out of their usual hangouts.

"It’s hard to say, but whatever it is, it’s got them on the move. I’ve never seen them roaming the streets here—at all," Slater added.

Bear Sighting Safety Tips

If you find yourself face-to-face with a bear, remember this: keep calm and make noise!

Don’t try to approach the bear, and definitely don’t run away. Instead, make as much noise as you can to scare it off.

And, of course, report any bear sightings to the Alabama Wildlife and Fisheries Division.

Stay safe out there, and maybe keep your phone handy—you never know when a bear might decide to crash your day!

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Black bear sighting in West Mobile takes lawn crew by surprise